"sunlight, moon (alternate etymology)"
Origin: Ancient Greek
Language: Greek
Ellen
Pronunciation: [ EHL-uhn ]
Girl Name
#1,032 Most Popular
Hidden Gem
2 Syllables
A luminous Greek classic in its quietest, most elegant form
English
American
Scottish
Irish
Classic
Elegant
Gentle
Vintage
Meaning & Origin
Things to Know About This Name
- Ellen DeGeneres's public controversies starting around 2020 may be a consideration for some parents, though the name's long history predates this association significantly
The Story of Ellen
Ellen is an English and Scottish variant of Helen, itself derived from the ancient Greek 'Helene' meaning 'torch' or 'bright light' — possibly also connected to the Greek word for the sun. Helen is one of the oldest recorded names in Western civilization, appearing in Homer's Iliad as Helen of Troy. Ellen developed as the distinctly British and Celtic form, particularly popular in Scotland and Wales, during the medieval period.
Ellen was a top-20 name in the US from the 1920s through the 1960s, representing the classic mid-century American sensibility. It declined with the rise of more elaborate names in the 1970s-90s. Today it occupies the space of a vintage name poised for rediscovery — already fashionable in the UK, where short, strong classic names have made a comeback.
In Scotland, Ellen is practically synonymous with the classic ballad 'Ellen Douglas' from Sir Walter Scott's 'The Lady of the Lake' (1810), cementing it as a literary name. In American culture, the name became synonymous with comedian Ellen DeGeneres's groundbreaking career and her historic coming-out in 1997.
Fun Facts
- Helen of Troy, considered the most beautiful woman in the ancient world in Greek mythology, shares the same root name
- Ellen DeGeneres made history in 1997 when her sitcom character and she herself publicly came out as gay, a pivotal moment in LGBTQ+ cultural history
- The Welsh form Elen is associated with the legendary saint Elen of the Hosts, who was said to have commissioned a network of roads across Wales
Ellen in Other Languages
Greek
Ελένη
Welsh
Elen
French
Hélène
German
Elke/Helena
Spanish
Elena
Scottish Gaelic
Eilidh
Famous People Named Ellen
E
Ellen Page (Elliot Page)
Actor
1987
Canadian actor known for Juno, Inception, and The Umbrella Academy; came out as transgender in 2020 and now goes by Elli...
Canadian actor known for Juno, Inception, and The Umbrella Academy; came out as transgender in 2020 and now goes by Elliot Page
E
Ellen Pompeo
Actor
1969
American actress who has starred as Meredith Grey in Grey's Anatomy since 2005, one of the longest-running roles in TV d...
American actress who has starred as Meredith Grey in Grey's Anatomy since 2005, one of the longest-running roles in TV drama history
E
Ellen DeGeneres
Entertainer
1958
American comedian and TV host who hosted The Ellen DeGeneres Show for 19 seasons; made history in 1997 as one of the fir...
American comedian and TV host who hosted The Ellen DeGeneres Show for 19 seasons; made history in 1997 as one of the first major celebrities to publicly come out as gay
E
Ellen Ripley Fictional
Other
The iconic protagonist of the Alien film franchise (1979-1997), portrayed by Sigourney Weaver; one of cinema's greatest ...
The iconic protagonist of the Alien film franchise (1979-1997), portrayed by Sigourney Weaver; one of cinema's greatest action heroines and feminist icons
Quick Facts
- Gender
- Girl
- Syllables
- 2
- Popularity Rank
- #1,032
- Total SSA Count
- 244
- Cultural Origins
- English American Scottish Irish
- Pronunciation
- Easy
- Formality
- Moderate
- Cross-Cultural Ease
- High
Alternative Spellings
Common Nicknames
Ellie
Nell
Pairs Well With
Ellen Grace
Ellen Marie
Ellen Louise
Ellen Ann
Ellen Jane
Ellen Claire
Ellen Rose
Sibling Names
Also a Boy Name
Ellen is also used as a boy name, ranked #19801.
View Ellen as a boy name →Similar Names
Playground Safety
Kid-Friendly
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Frequently Asked Questions About Ellen
What does the name Ellen mean?
"sunlight, moon (alternate etymology)" (from Ancient Greek). Ellen is an English and Scottish variant of Helen, itself derived from the ancient Greek 'Helene' meaning 'torch' or 'bright light' — possibly also connected to the Greek word for the sun. Helen is one of the oldest recorded names in Western civilization, appearing in Homer's Iliad as Helen of Troy. Ellen developed as the distinctly British and Celtic form, particularly popular in Scotland and Wales, during the medieval period.
What is the origin of the name Ellen?
Ellen has Ancient Greek, English, American, Scottish, and Irish origins. In Ancient Greek, it means "sunlight, moon (alternate etymology)".
Is Ellen a boy or girl name?
Ellen is used as both a girl and boy name. As a girl name, it is ranked #1032. As a boy name, it is ranked #19801. Ellen is more commonly used as a girl name.
How do you pronounce Ellen?
Ellen is pronounced EHL-uhn.
How popular is the name Ellen?
Ellen is currently ranked #1032 in popularity for girl names in the United States.
What are common nicknames for Ellen?
Common nicknames for Ellen include Ellie and Nell.
What are good middle names for Ellen?
Popular middle name pairings include Ellen Grace, Ellen Marie, Ellen Louise, Ellen Ann, Ellen Jane, Ellen Claire, and Ellen Rose.
What are good sibling names for Ellen?
Names that pair well with Ellen as siblings include Alice, Clara, Hugh, Arthur, Margaret, James, and Frances.
How many syllables does Ellen have?
Ellen has 2 syllables, making it easy to say and remember.
Is Ellen a common or rare name?
Ellen is an uncommon name, ranked #1032 in the US. Its rarity gives it a distinctive, memorable quality.
About the Name Ellen
Ellen is a girl name with English, American, Scottish, and Irish origins . The name means "sunlight, moon (alternate etymology)" in Ancient Greek .
Is Ellen a boy or girl name? Ellen is used as both a girl and boy name. As a girl name, it ranks #1,032 in popularity. As a boy name, it ranks #19,801. Ellen is more commonly used as a girl name.
Ellen is currently ranked #1,032 in popularity for girl names in the United States.
The name Ellen has 2 syllables and is pronounced EHL-uhn, making it easy to pronounce and remember.
Common nicknames for Ellen include Ellie and Nell. These shorter forms provide casual alternatives while keeping the elegance of the full name.
Alternative spellings of Ellen include Elle, Ellery, Ellerie, Ellena, Ellee . Each spelling variation gives the name a slightly different character while preserving its sound and meaning.